Tributary Effects on the Mainstream Suspended Sediment Chemistry

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Abstract
The relative impact of tributaries on suspended sediment (organic + mineral particulate matter) chemistry below a confluence can be evaluated using suspended sediment concentration and particulate elemental concentrations from each of the two Inputs and from a mixed sample below the confluence. Although suspended sediment chemistry below a confluence is a product of mixing of mainstream and tributary inputs, variability in chemical data in field samples is caused by inhomogeneities in the sampled medium and by limitations inherent to sampling and analytical procedures. This study assesses data variability typical of a Canadian Plains' river during a period of substantial discharge, large suspended sediment transport, and turbulent mixing conditions. Using particulate elemental concentration from each of the two streams contributing to a confluence, element concentration below the confluence is predicted. Variance between observed and predicted element concentrations permits an assessment of analytical error for each element. We demonstrate that substantial variations in input chemistry cause small and predictable changes in downstream suspended sediment chemistry.

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